I was recently denied financial aid for not maintaining pace of progression. Does my letter need to be shortened at all? My school requires the following in the appeal letter:
Write a detailed personal statement, which must include the following information:
• Explain the reason for the appeal. Please include details about your situation. If you had multiple situations,
explain all of them in detail.
• Explain when the situation occurred.
• Explain how it affected your ability to successfully complete your courses during that time period. • Explain what has changed that will now allow you to successfully complete your courses.
Here is my letter:
Dear Financial Aid Appeals Committee,
My name is XXX and I am writing to you to reconsider your office’s decision to suspend my financial aid for the 2016-2017 school year. My financial aid was suspended due to the fact that I have not maintained pace of progression and I am aware that it was the cause of my suspension.
My beloved uncle passed away October 5, 2015, leaving behind several relatives who financially depended on his income, including my aunt and young cousins. I began working long hours, in addition to helping care for my young cousins, while my aunt worked to try to make up for my uncles lost income. While I did attempt to keep up with my class assignments and studying, I fell behind and earned poor grades. I completely acknowledge my mistakes.
Although I felt that it was necessary to take care of my aunt and cousins, I understand that school should have been a top priority. I should have done a better job communicating with my professors so that I wouldn’t have fallen behind in classes. Since I didn’t correctly explain to my professors what was going on, my GPA suffered tremendously.
My family situation is now stabilized and I will be able to make satisfactory academic progress going forward. The immediate family that I have been helping to support have moved and I will no longer be required to work extra hours or provide child care. I will again be able to focus on my academic courses.
I need financial aid in order to continue taking courses. After discussing with a previous professor, I have realized that I need to take some steps to be more successful at UNT. My plan is to take the necessary courses in order to bring up my GPA. To assure that my academic progress improves, I will seek help from the tutors available here at UNT, I will meet with my academic advisor each semester before registration so that I can follow the required courses for my degree, I will regularly attend the office hours to meet with my instructors to ensure that I understand the material and I have created a study schedule to clock out a minimum of 30-hours per week of studying.
Thank you for your consideration of my appeal. My uncle was like a father to me and he remains my motivation to achieve my dreams of completing a college education. Given a second chance with financial aid, I know that I can make him proud. I understand the seriousness of the situation I have put myself into and federal aid is a privilege, not a right. I have taken full responsibility of my actions and will not allow myself to have another mishap in the future. Thankfully, I have come up with a plan that will ensure that I stay on the right track and become a successful student.
Thank you again for your valuable time and consideration.
Sincerely,
XXX
Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!